Electric rifle range



Jan. 19, 1943. M. w. KENNEY ETAL ELECTRIC RIFLE RANGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed ,Jan. 20, 1940 Jan. 19, 1943. M; w. KENNEY 51-51. I ,3

ELECTFIQ my? RA Filed Jan. 20, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 19, 1943. M. w. KENNEY' ETAL "2,368,314

ELECTRIC RIFLE RANGE} Filed Jan. 20, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 f)? V6 for) Jfa/an ezwzey Jan 19,1943 M. w. KENNEY m. I 8, ELECTRIC RIFLE RANGE Filed Jan. 20, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 19, 1943 ELECTRIC RIFLE RANGE Mahlon W. Kenney, Oak Park, and Herman G. Jensen, Chicago, 111., assignors to Rayolite Rifle Range Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Oklahoma Application January 20, 1940, Serial No. 314,828

12 Claims. (Cl 273101.1)

Our invention relates to improvements in shooting galleries, and has for one object to provide a new and improved shooting gallery and target device wherein a light-projecting member may be used to simulate the effect of a gun discharging a metallic bullet. Other objects are to provide a new and improved type of target which will be interesting and make possible the development of a high degree of skill on the part of the shooter; to provide a traveling target which will reverse its direction of travel when hit; to provide an electrical and mechanical control means, especially well adapted to adjust, control, and operate the device; and to provide a device which may be easily renewed, repaired, and maintained.

Other objects of our invention will appear from time to time in the specification and claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in operation.

Figure 2 is a detail view of the target device on an enlarged scale with parts omitted.

Figure 3 is a section through the target itself.

Figures 4 and 5 are diagonals of the electrical circuits, Figures 4 and 5 being complementary in order that the drawings may be large enough for easy reading.

Like parts are indicated by like characters in the various figures.

is a cabinet containing a target visible through the window 2. 3 includes a series of hit-indicating windows adapted to be illuminated by electric lights as will hereinafter appear. 4 is an electric plug by which the apparatus may be connected to a suitable electric power source, such as a house lighting circuit. 5 is a gun cabinet, having a coin slide 6, a gun rack 1 adapted to receive the gun 8, and cables 9 and I joining the gun 8, the gun cabinet and the target cabinet I.

2| and 22 are endless track members. They are supported by stanchions 23, 24, and 25 on the frame members 26 and 21 in the cabinet I. These tracks have two parallel sections joined at each end by curved sections. 28 is a conductor or third rail insulated from and carried by the stanchions 23, 24, and 25, and curved to conform with the contour of the tracks 2| and 22. 29 is a target carriage having wheels 30 adjacent each end thereof and adapted to travel along the track 2| and support the weight of the carriage. 3| and 32 are rollers, engaging opposite sides of the track 22 to maintain the carriage in upright position. 33 are contact rollers supbearing 56 on the carriage 29.

ported on an insulated spring 34 and yieldingly pressed against the rail 28. 35 and 36 are sleeves projecting upwardly from the frames 26 and 21 upon which are rotatably mounted grooved pulleys 3'! and 38. An endless belt 39 travels about these pulleys and is connected to the carriage 29 by a drive plate 40. 4| is a hollow shaft, projecting upwardly from the carriage 29 and supporting the socket 42 which carries aphotoelectric cell 43. The shaft 4| is hollow so that a suitable electric conductor may extend therethrough from the phototerrninal of the photoelectric cell being grounded.

Spring fingers 44 on the carriage 29 are adapted to engage the bar 45, which is pivoted on the bracket 46 on the track 2|. Contact of the spring fingers 44 with this bar serves to rotate it to actuate a limit switch |2| to insure that the target will stop in the central front position and remain visible when the device is out of play.

The spring contact of the fingers with the bar also has a braking effect to yieldingly stop the target.

Encircling the shaft 4| and mounted for rotation thereabout is a hollow shaft 50, upon which is rigidly mounted a bracket 5| having pivoted thereon two legs 52. The bracket 5| also carries the target body 54. This target body simulates a tramp or other comic character. In this case, lenses are located in each shoulder of the tramp in such position as to concentrate the light ray from the gun upon the photoelectric cell. 43.

The hollow shaft 59 is rotatably mounted in the The lower end of the hollow shaft carries a gear 58 in mesh with the rack 59. This rack is carried by the slide plate 69 slidably held in the channels 6| and. 62 on the carriage 29, and the slide plate also supports the drive plate 49 above referred to.

The longitudinal excursion of the plate 6!! and the rack 59 with respect to the carriage is limited by adjusting screws 63 so that whenever the direction of travel of the belt is reversed, it moves the plate and rack longitudinally along the carriage, a distance sufiicient to rotate the target through an angle of 180 degrees before the carriage gets under way so that the target will face forwardly no matter in which direction the carriage is traveling.

The belt 39 coincides in contour and position to the two tracks 2| and 22, so that as it travels it propels the carriage along the tracks.

Pins 65 depend downwardly from the legs 52. 66 is a rotary plate having upwardly turned ears 61 to pivotally support pins 08 on the legs 52, so that the pin 65 on one leg engages a series of spaced stop members 69, moving that leg back and causing the other leg to move forwardly so as to simulate a walking action.

10 is a motor, H is a speed reducing gear, 16 is a' flexible coupling, 15 is a shaft whereby the motor 10 ,drives the pulley 31 and so the belt 39. 13 is a bell adapted to be rung by the solenoid 14 when a hit is made.

In a number of instances in this application we have illustrated conventionally certain plug and socket connections.

number is not referred tom the specification but is provided through the plug and socket conductors I01 and I08'lead from the plug I09'associated with the socket I03" to the primary coil of the-transformer. H0, through .the fuse I I I. Conductors H2 and H3 connect respectively with the conductors I01 and I08 and lead to the primary coil of the transformer: I I4 through the fuse. II5. A circuit extends. through conductor 6,. an adjustable rheostat or resistor II1, conductor II 8, separable connector A, conductor I20 to limit switch I2l controlled by bar 45, thence through the field coil I22 of the motor 10,- conductr' I23, connector A, conductor I24 to the relay switch point I25.

In thefposition shown in Figure 4, the circuit continues through the conductor I26, connector A, conductor I21'to the armature of themotor 10, thence through the conductor I28, connector A, conductor I29 to the relay switch point. I30, in'this case shown closed, thence through the conductor .I 3 I, conductor I I3, conductor I08, plug I09, conductor I02 back to the source of power. When the switch parts in relay B are in the. lower position as shown in Figure 4, the circuit isthe same as in the preceding paragraph to and includingconductor I24 and then is as follows: relayswitch point I32, thence through the conductor I29, connector A,-conductor I28, the

armature of the motor 10, conductor I21, connector A, conductor I26, relay switch point I33, conductor I3I, conductor II3, conductor I08, back to the source of power, thereby reversing the direction of current flowing through the armature, and so reversing the motor. The elements I25, I30, I32, I33 are all part of a reversing relay assembly, which is identified by the master letter B. H r

Since the usual house lighting circuit carries 110 volt current, the preferred form of our device is wired so far as the transformer H4 and all the elements and circuits above described'are concerned for 110 volt A. 0., though if a different 7 voltage must be used, the wiring will be changed In each case, the mat ing elements are given the same number, which.

trigger of the gun will have no effect except when the master switch I06 is open. The light I04 illuminating the target and scenery will be on and the amplifier will be in operation maintaining the heaters of the tubes in operative condition ment at a cherry red, and the target commences to travel. The numeral zero (0) at the lefthand side. of the target cabinet is illuminated and so remains'until the operator makes a hit.

When the trigger is pulled a flash of light is projected from the barreljof the gun upon the target. .A sound is heard similar to the report 1 .of a gun, and if the target is hit by the flash of light, the gun being properly aimed, a bell will ring and the. target will immediately turn around and reverse its direction of travel, along the track,

' the light behindthe numeral-zero (0) will-.go-

out and the light behind, the,

number: one (1') willbe illuminated.

This continues until ten shots have been fired.= If all ten shots are hits, then the user without further charge and without further manipulation of the coin slide may fire ten' more shots. 'However, if the first tenshots are not; allhits, if, even asingleone is a miss, then after. the ten shots have been fired, the apparatus goes out; of play, the gun light heater'current isstumed off, the trigger becomesineffective, and a light remains behind the window indicating thenume:

in to actuate a switch to make operation possible.

The following circuits then go into operation:

Fro rn one of the secondary 'coils I34of' the transformer II4 through the conductor I 35 to the reset coil I36, thence through the conductor I31, connector D, conductor I38, to the coin con: trolled switch I39, the switch point I40, conductor I4I, connector D, conductor I42 to the other 'termin-al of the. secondary coil I34. Thisv energizes the coil I36 and causes actuation of the a reset mechanism, now here shown in detail, be:

cause its details form no part of the presentinvention, but illustrated diagrammatically by.

dotted lines. This returns the Wiper arm I.43"of the shot counterand the wiper arm 1440f the hit counter to the starting position, thus. illumi mating the zero (0) light at theleft-ha'nd .side of the target box.

(0) light and indicates to the player that th apparatus is in starting position. 7

The reset mechanism also allows a-circuit from the ground through-the shot-counting segment I5I, wiper :arm I43, conductor I52, magnetcoil the magnet coil I53 of the play control relay F I53, conductor I54, conductor I49, secondary transformer coil I50 to ground. This energizes The hit -counting circuit is then from the ground through the wiperarm: 7 I44 conductor I45, connector E, conductor. I46,

zero (0) light I41, conductor I48, connector I conductor I49, secondary coil I5Il-of the transformer I I0 to ground. This illuminates the zero to close a circuit through the play control relay contacts as follows:

From the original power source through conductor II8, conductor I55, relay switch point I56, conductor I51, connector A, conductor I58, through the field coil I22 of the motor, conductor I23, connector A, conductor I24, relay switch point I25 in the relay B, conductor I 26, connector A, conductor I21, armature of the motor 10, conductor I28, connector A, conductor I29, relay switch point I 39, conduct-or I3I, conductor II3, conductor I88, back to the original source of power.

The circuit is thus completed and the motor commences to operate, continuing so to do until the correct number of shots have been fired, the various cycles of operation have been completed and the device is returned to the end condition. In connection with this operation, however, it is essential that the target shall stop at or near the central position so that it may remain visible even though the device is not conditioned for operation, and this is accomplished by means of the limit switch I2I in parallel with the circuit through the relay B, just described.

The limit switch remains closed until the target approaches the central position, and at that time the spring fingers 44 engage the limit switch lever 45 to open the limit switch I2I, break the circuit, and insure that the target will stop in the central position.

The actuation of the magnet I53 operates relay F to also close a circuit from ground, through conductor 244, switch point I60, conductor I6I, connector D, conductor I62, gun lamp I63, conductor I64, conductor I4I, connector D, conductor I42, resistor I65, conductor I66, contact I68, secondary coil I61 of transformer II4 to ground.

This circuit keeps the gun lamp in heat-ed condition, but it is not sufliciently energized to appreciably affect the photoelectric cell, as will hereinafter appear.

This is desirable because experience teaches that frequently recurrent application of a current to a cold gun lamp materially reduces the life thereof, and current surges may be set up in the system to up-set other of the circuits and cause improper operation. So means are provided, first for maintaining the lamp hot at all times during operation, and second, for further a heating the lamp when the gun trigger is pulled to project the necessary beam of light to actuate the mechanism responsive to the impingement of the beam on the photoelectric cell 43.

When the mechanism is conditioned for operation by the marksman, as above indicated, with the hit-indicator showing zero and the target moving along the track so as to make its periodic appearance and disappearance, the operator takes the gun in hand, aims at the target, and pulls the trigger, whereupon the sound of a shot is heard. The shot counter, invisible to the operator, counts each shot. If the gun is properly aimed and the flash of light impinges upon the lens 55 and so produces its effect upon the photoelectric cell,-a bell rings, the target reverses.

its direction of travel and a hit is indicated by the illumination of the next number window in sequence. If, however, a hit is not made, then there is no change in the hit-counting indicator, the target continues its travel in the same direction and the bell does not ring. However, the shot-counter functions nevertheless.

We will first describe the sequence when no hit is made:

When the trigger is pulled, the switch arm I69. controlled by the trigger I10, through mechanism not here shown, as it forms no part of our present invention, engages switch point I'll. This closes a circuit from ground through magnet I 12, conductor I13, connector D, conductor I14, switch I15, conductor I16, conductor I11, switch point I1I, switch arm I69, conductor I18, condenser I19, conductor I80, conductor I4I thence through connector D, conductor I42 to resistor I65, conductor I66, tap I68, secondary transformer coil I61 to ground. The charge in the condenser I19 momentarily energizes the magnet I12 to actuate the relay G to close the switch I8I and complete a circuit to shunt out the resistor I55, as follows:

From ground through secondary coil I61, tap I68, conductor I66, conductor I82, relay switch point I8I, conductor I83, conductor I42, conhector D, conductor I4I, conductor I64, lamp I63, conductor I62, connector D, conductor I6I, relay switch point I60, conductor 244 to ground. This gives full available current to the gun lamp as a substitute for the lesser heating current, and causes the lamp to project a flash of light sufficient to affect the photoelectric cell.

The energization of the magnet I12 also closes th switch point I84 in the relay G, to complete the following circuit to actuate the shot counter:

From the secondary coil I34 of the transformer II 4, conductor I35, conductor I85, relay switch point. I84 in relay G, conductor I86, magnet I81, conductor I88, conductor I42, back to the secondary coil I34 of the transformer I I4, then the magnet I81, by a mechanical connection not here shown, moves the wiper I43 one step forward along the segment I5I as part of the shot-counting operation.

The actuation of the magnet I12 in relay G upon pulling the trigger I10 also causes a sound to be made simulating the explosive sound of a gun. The circuit that does this is as follows:

From the secondary coil I34 of transformer I I 4, conductor I35, conductor I85, relay switch point I84, in relay G, conductor I86, conductor I9 I, connector D, conductor I92, solenoid coil I93, which solenoid, by mechanical means not here shown, actuates the gun sounder, conductor I94, conductor I64, conductor I4I, connector D, conductor I42, back to the secondary coil I34, thus every time the trigger is pulled the sound of a shot is heard.

The above description covers what happens when the trigger is pulled, and if no hit is made. Each time this occurs the wiper I43 goes forward one step along segment I 5I until it has made ten forward steps, and leaves the segment whereupon the machine is dead, and no further firing can be done without the insertion of another coin and a further operation of the coin slide.

While the various circuits and the mechanisms controlled by them operate at great rapidity, nevertheless a holding circuit is provided which gives time enough for the completion of all the necessary functions after the last shot is fired and the wiper has left the segment I5I to allow all circuits time to assume the end position. The holding circuit keeps the magnet I53 in relay F energized during the full operation of the magnet I81. This circuit extends from the ground, through switchpoint I95, conductor I96, conductor I91, conductor I52, to magnet I53 in relay F, conductor I54, conductor I49, the secondary coil I of the transformer IIO, back to the ground. The residual magnetism or lag in the electromagnet I81 holds the switch I closed long :enough even after lthetwiper 'I 43 has passed beyond the segment I 5| to give timefor" the completion'of the various cycles'of operation; f

If, however, one or more hits are made, the situation changes somewhat: and other circuits are energized and other operations take place, as follows: 1

Assuming that the marksman on any 'one of his shots of the first ten makes a hit, this is,'assum'- ing the gun is aimed correctly in thatupon pulling the trigger alight flash impinges uponthe lens 55 and is directedv thereby upon the photosensitive cell '43, the following sequences occur:

. In the first place, it is necessary to'prote'ct the machine against improper manipulation, 'foriinstance, the apparatus must be protected against actuation simulating a hit when some light source other than the gun is used. In other words, a dishonest marksman might strike a match, use a flashlight, or deflect the light from some other source into the photo-sensitive'member or photoelectric cell. Means are provided to make: this ineffective unless and until the trigger is pulled.

These means for protecting the apparatus against actuation by anything except alight ray projected from the gun are also controlled by the magnet I81. When that magnet is energized by a pull on the trigger, the switch 20I is closed, completing-a circuit as follows: I

From one of the secondary windings 202 of transformer IIO, conductor 203; switch 20I,--conductor 204, hit-counter magnet 205, conductor 206, plate 201 of one of the tubes 208 of the photoelectric amplifier. This puts voltage on the plate and .permits this tube to function. If voltage were not on the plate, it would not function, and

7 therefore a light beam merely impinging on the photoelectric cell without the closure of the switches controlled by the trigger and associated circuits will produce no effect on hit-counter coil 205 because the tube cannot function unless voltage is impressed on the plate 201. When the tube is energized as a result of light impinging on the photoelectric cell, as will hereinafter appear, the circuit goes on through the tube 208, conductor 209, to the other terminal of the coil 202.

The photoelectric cell is diagrammatically shown. However, for the purpose of illustration, a circuit extends from the ground through conductor 2H}, connector H, conductor 2| I, third rail 28, photoelectric cell 43, conductor 2I2,' con-.

nector H, conductor 2| 3, into the amplifying sys tem, which in turn energizes the grid 2I4, so that the circuit through the magnet 205 above described is energized when a hit is made, tocause the wiper I44 to take on forward step, thus indicating a hit. That brings the wiper to the second contact in the'outer group of rarcuately arranged hit-counting circuit buttons, as indicated in Figure 5. This closes a circuit from ground, through wiper I44, conductor 2I5; connector E, conductor 2 I6, light 2 I1, conductor I48, connector E, conductor I49, secondary coil I50 of transformer I I0, thence to the ground. This en-' ergizes light 2I'I which illuminates the numeral one (1) on the target box shown in Figur 1.

. This movement of the "wiper I44 also causes it to engage the first of the target-reversing contact points in the inner arcuately arranged groups of contacts associated with conductor 2I9, c1osing a circuit from groundythrough wiper I44, conductor 2I9, conductor 220, switch 22I, conductor 32I, magnet 222, associated with the relay B, conductor I49, secondary coill50 of the trans-.

former III], to ground. This actuates therelay with conductor '2I9. The result of this is that th circuit throughmagnet 222 is opened, and the relay switch B automatically opens,- as is characteristic-of the conventional type of relay switch. This again reverses the motor and causes the target to travel in the opposite direction.

This sequence continues, a new light being illuminated for each hit made, until'the wiper I43 has traveled beyond-the end of the segment I5I, at which time the machin is turned off. As previously pointed out, the wipers I43 and I 44 are automatically returned to the starting position when the coin switch is actuated for a new string of'shots.-

- The exception to this is that, if a marksman gets ten hits with his first ten shots, then the wiper I44 goes around to the contact 223, engage ing that at the same time as it engages the tenth contact point 224 to light up the number ten (10) light. There is then a circuit closed from the ground, through wiper I 44; contact point 223, conductor 225, switch 226, conductor 221, contact point 321, wiper I43, conductor I52, magnet 1.

I53, conductor I54,-conductor I49, secondary coil I50, to the ground. This keeps the electromagnet associated with the relay F energized so that operation may continue. The next shot moves the wiper I43 into engagement with the segment 228, so that the magnet I53 now continues to operate relay F to permit further operation, so that the marksman may get ten more shots. The segment 228 is grounded, just as was'the segment I5I, and ten shots more can be fired. The scoring continues around the arc of indicating light contacts previously referred to, associated with thewiper I44 until ten more shots have been fired, when the wiper I43 runs off the'further'end of the segment 228, and th apparatus goes out of operation, just as it would have gone out, had con tact not been made with terminal point 223. If it is desired to-give the marksman twenty shots without reference to the number of hits, then the switch226 is grounded, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure5, thus. substituting for the effect of the contact point 223. In effect, this would b the same as a continuous segment instead of I5I, 321, and 228.

Another function of the magnet 205 .isthat every time a hit is made, it closes the switch 230,-

which results in closing a circuit from secondary coil I 34, through conductor I35, conductor 23I,'

switch 230, conductor 232,,connector I, conductor 233, bell-ringing solenoid I4, conductor 234, connector I, conductor 235, conductor I88, conductor I42, back to the secondary coil I34. This rings the bell every time a hit is made.

In a number of instances we haveshown condensers across the switches for the purposeof;

that there will be no functioning of the apparatus, .no operation of any of the important circuits, and no projection of a light, unless a coin has been inserted and the coin slide manipulated before the trigger is pulled.

As previously pointed out, during normal operation when the trigger is pulled, current passes from conductor I13 through the magnet I12 to ground, thereby actuating the timing switch G, without which pulling the trigger can have no effect and the gun cannot be operated. After the last shot of a complete series is .fired, the magnet I53 as previously pointed out no longer holds the relay F in open position, relay F therefore after the last shot remains in the dotted line position and closes a circuit at the switch point 240. Under these circumstances, if the trigger is pulled in an effort to cheat the machine, the current passing along the conductor I13 will take the line of least resistance to ground, following the circuit from I13 through conductor 24I, resistance 242, conductor 243, switch point 240, conductor 244 to ground. Perhaps a little current will pass through the magnet I12 but it will not be enough to actuate the magnet. The low-resistance short-circuit above referred to thus insures that pulling the trigger will not cause operation of the device.

The condenser I19, whenever the trigger is pulled, discharges. It is bad for the condenser to discharge it through a dead short-circuit, and that is why the resistance 242 is placed in the live short-circuiting the magnet I12. The resistor 242 gives the circuit enough resistance so that the condenser will not be harmed when it discharges, but the resistance is still low enough so that the magnet I12 will not be actuated.

It is important that unless the apparatus has been conditioned for correct operation, pulling the trigger will have no useful eflect. This can be accomplished by providing a short circuit around the magnet coil I12, but if that were done, the dead short circuit would in time damage the condenser because experience teaches that the trigger is frequently pulled when the device is not conditioned for operation.

The presence of the resistor 242 in the short circuit in parallel with the magnet coil I12 insures that not enough current will pass through the magnet coil to cause operation of the device because the current will be divided between the coil and the resistor, and the condenser will thus not be subjected to the deleterious effect of a dead short circuit.

The light 25I in the gun cabinet is lighted by a circuit from the secondary coil I34, conductor I42, connector D, conductor I II, conductor I64, conductor 252, lamp 25I, conductor 253, connector D, conductor 254, conductor I35, thence to the coil I34.

The switch 255 'is a reset switch in the target cabinet by the use of which the serviceman may reset the apparatus for adjustment and manipulation without using the coin control mechanism. This switch, of course, will be enclosed in the cabinet so that the customers will not have access to it. It is connected between conductors I31 and I88 and shorts out the switch and control mechanisms operated by the coin slide.

The condenser 30I, condenser 302, and choke 303 are provided to serve as a filter to prevent outside disturbances picked up by the third rail 28 from getting into the amplifier, It might happen that just'a-s the operator pulled the trig- 7 ger, but missed the target, some outside disturbance might be picked up by the third rail 28, acting as a radio antenna which would cause target operation, that is, an apparent hit. The filter assembly makes that impossible.

The condensers, associated with the relay switches, are, of course, for the obvious purpose of preventing transient impulses being produced at the various points.

The condenser I19 is charged by the following circuit, which is .closed when the operator does not have his finger on the trigger. It is closed through switch point 40I associated with the gun switch lever I69, when the trigger is released. The circuit is as follows:

From the ground at 402 through coil 403 of the transformer I I0, rectifier tube 404, conductor 405, conductor 406, choke coil 401, conductor 408, resistor 409, resistor 4I0, conductor 4, connector D, conductor'4l2 to switch point 40I, then through switch arm I69, conductor I18, condenser I19, conductor I80, conductor I4I, connector D, conductor I42, through resistor I65, conductor I66, tap I68, coil I61 to ground. The purpose of this arrangement is to charge the condenser I19 at a sufiiciently'slow rate that no impulses will be set up in the system which might cause premature or improper operation of any of the other circuits.

The discharge of the condenser I19 provides the force to operate the relay G. This in turn causes sufiicient current to be applied to the gun lamp to energize it so that when the trigger is pulled and the lamp is energized, if the gun is properly aimed, the resultant flash of light upon the photo-electric cell will cause the operation of the hit-counting device and associated circuits and mechanisms.

The two switches associated with the coin control mechanism are important because when the coin control slide is pushed in, which is possible only when a coin .is inserted, the circuit is closed between I39 .and I40 .to permit operation of the device. .However, the circuit must always be broken at 115, as otherwise it would be possible to hold the coin slide in, keep the switches I39 and I40 closed, and make continuous operation possible. These two switches together cooperate to insure that the machine can not be continuously operated by holding in the coin slide.

We have mentioned above .the rectifier tube 404. This apparatus operates .on alternating current. However, three different uses for direct current appear in this device: one, to charge the condenser I19; another, to provide direct current for the photo-electric cell; and another, to provide direct current for the amplifying tubes.

The resistance element 413 grounded from the conductor I52, shown adjacent the magnet coil I53 of relay F is for the purpose of preventing excessive arcing at the wiper I43, it is -in parallel with the wiper M3 and grounded at segments I5I. Thus, for example, if -we assume that it takes ten amperes to close relay F, and that the circuit is broken at I43, then if the resistor 4 I3 draws four amperes to ground, only six amperes are available to form an arc and so the resistor protects the circuit against any excessive arcing which might set up impulses to be picked up on the third rail, for instance, to cause the actuation of the hitcouiting mechanism when no hit had been ma e.

' The resistor M4 and the condenser M5;

the wiper [44. The filter consisting of a resistor- HB and condenser M1 is also for the same purpose of quenching any are at the switches I69;

We claim: r r 1. In a target device, a target, a gun, means for counting the number of shots fired by the gun, and separate means for counting the number of hits made on the target, the shot counting means including fixed and movable. conductors, the latter beingadapted to travel along the former as the shots are counted while remaining continuously in contact therewith and to be disengaged therefrom after a' predetermined number of shots have been'counted, a contact member adapted to be engaged by the movable conductor upon its disengagement from the fixed conductor, the hit counting means ining means including fixed and movable conductors, the latter being adapted to travel along the former as the shots are counted while remaining continuously in contact therewith and to be disengaged therefrom after a 'predetermined number of shots have been counted, a contact member adapted to be engaged by the movable conductor upon its disengagement from the fixed conductor, the hit counting means including a switch member adapted to close a circuit through the contact member when a predetermined number of hits have been made whereby the circuit through-the movable conductor remains closed, a second fixed conductor in the path-of and adapted to be engaged by the movable conductor as it continues its travel responsive" to the counting of successive additional shots. .7 V

3.1In a "target device, a target, a gun, means for counting the number of shots fired by the gun, and separate means for counting the number of hits made on the target, the shot count ing means including fixed and movable conductors, the latter being adapted .to travel along the former as the shots are counted iwhile remaining continuously in contact therewith and to be disengaged therefrom after; a predetermined. number of shots have been counted, a contact member adapted to be engaged by the movable conductor upon its disengagementfrom the fixed conductor, the hit counting means including a switch member adapted to close a circuit through the contact memberwhen a pre,-- v determined number of hits have been made whereby the circuit through the movable conductor remains closed, and manually controlled means for closing the circuit through the contact-member independent of the hit counting m an I 4. In combination, a gun, a target,shot counting means including an electric connector adapted normally to close a circuit during the operation of the device for a predetermined number of shoes only, and after such number of shotshave been fired toiopenthe circuit to prevent further operation, a hit counting means adapted only;

when a number of hits equal to theafore'said pre: determined-number; of shots have been made to keep the circuit closedliindependent of the circuit opening effect of the shot (counting means, and an additional shot counting meansadapted for operation only when-said predetermined number of hits have been made; a

1 5. In a: target device, a target, la gungsh ot" counting means including a plurality of aligned fixed conductor plates, a lockout contact me'm'a' ber located between them, .a wiper adapted to engage "and travel along the plates, means actuated in response to each shot for movingthe wiper step by step along one ofthe plates to bring it into engagement with the lookout con-5 cluding the control contact member and the lockout contact member adapted when closedby V the simultaneous contact of each wiper with its respective contact member to condition the ap- V paratus for further operation.

ated in response to each shotgfor'moving'the wiper step bygstep alongone of the plates to 6. In a target device, a target, a gun, shot counting means including a plurality of aligned fixed conductor plates, a lookout contact member'located between, them, a wiper adapted to engage and travelalong the'plates', means actuated in response'to each shot for, moving the wiper step by step along one, of the platesto bring it into engagement with the lockout con-v tact member, a hit counting means including a plurality of separate hit indicating contact members, a wiper adapted to travel along them, means responsive to each hit ponthe target for moving spective contact-memberto condition the appaj ratus for further op erat ion, gand adapted wlie not so closed :to prevent,furthenoperation,

'7. In a target device, aitarget; a; ,shot, counting means including a plurality of aligned fixed conductor plates, a lookout contact mem-' ber located between them; a wiper zadaptedi'to. engage and travel along, the plates, meansactubring it into engagement with the lockout con-' tact memben a hit counting means including: a

' plurality of separate hit-indicating contact members, a wiper adapted to travel along them, means responsive to each hit on the targetfor moving; the wiper step by step from-pnehit indicating contactmember to the next, a control contact member in the path of the wiper; and-a circuit n ud n he ont o c n c -imembsrzan t h 7:15: fixed co duttbr; llfll a eack etic e a t member located between them, a wiper adapted to engage and travel along the plates, means actuated in response to each shot for moving the wiper step by step along one of the plates to bring it into engagement with the lockout contact member, a hit counting means including a plurality of separate hit-indicating contact members, a wiper adapted to travel along them, means responsive to each hit on the target for moving the wiper step by step from one hit-indicating contact member to the next, a control contact member in the path of the wiper and a circuit including the control contact member and the lockout contact member adapted when closed by the simultaneous contact of each wiper with its respective contact member to condition the apparatus for further operation, and means for moving the hit-counting wiper being adapted after such conditioning of the apparatus for further operation to move the wiper step by step along the second conductor plate and at the last shot to move it out of contact therewith, whereby the circuit is closed to prevent further operation of the device.

9. In a target device, a target and an electric gun adapted to be aimed and fired thereat, a plurality of score indicating lights, a wiper blade and means responsive to the operation of the gun for rotating the blade step by step about a center of rotation, a plurality of contact members in the path of the blade arranged in two concentric arcs about the center of rotation thereof, electric circuits joining each of the contact members in one are with an associated score indicating light, a target controlling circuit including a contact member in the other arc, the blade being adapted at one time to simultaneously engage contact members in both arcs and at another time to engage a contact member in one are only.

10. In a target device, a target and an electric gun adapted to be aimed and fired thereat, a plurality of score indicating lights, a wiper blade and means responsive to hits made by the gun on the target for rotating the blade step by step about a center of rotation, a plurality of contact members in the path of the blade arranged in two concentric arcs about the center of rotation thereof, electric circuits joining each of the contact members in one are with an associated score indicating light, a target controlling circuit including a contact member in the other arc, the blade being adapted at one time to simultaneously engage contact members in both arcs and at another time to engage a contact member in one are only.

11. A skill testing game comprising, in combination, a moving target, an aiming element, a trigger on said aiming element, a motor for driving said target, means for initiating operation of said motor including a relay, a first step up switch, means for advancing said switch with each effective operation of said trigger, a second step up switch, means for advancing said second step up switch with each hit scored, and a control circuit for said relay including said step up switches in series.

12. A game comprising, in combination, an objective to be attained, means manipulable by an operator of the game in an attempt to attain the objective, means including a relay for conditioning the game for operation, a first step up switch, means for advancing said switch with each attempt made, a second step up switch, means for advancing said second step up switch with each attainment of the objective, and a control circuit for said relay including said step up switches, said switches operating upon the attainment of a predetermined relative position to arrest operation of the game through said relay.

MAHLON W. KENNEY. HERMAN G. JENSEN. 

